History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 64

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 64

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In a letter addressed to J. H. Stevens, dated

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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

New York city. February Ist. 1881, Mr. Henry T. Welles says : " Hennepin county owes as much to yon. if not more, than to any other man. You were the corner-stone on which Mr. Steele's for- tune was built. You shaped the carly beginning of what is now Minneapolis, and in any history of the county you ought to have credit accord- ingly."

Traits of unselfishness, which are somewhat inconsistent with the acquisition of large wealth. have characterized the Colonel throughout his life at Minneapolis, and though he may not. in the view of most. be looked upon as one favored of fortune. still. what better fortune can a man have than the blessings of his grateful friends, in a comfortable and happy home? The perusal of the records of the old settlers proves that in these he is rich indeed. His house was the first built on the west side, with the exception of the gov- erminent house on the knoll. near the mill. built in early times. Ilis claim extended from the falls bordering on the river to Bassett's creek. The Nicollet House now stands near the middle of the old claim. Mr. Stevens crossed by the ferry daily to his business at St. Anthony. where he kept his store in connection with Frank- lin Steele.

The means taken to obtain a foothold in the reserve calls to mind the fable of the camel. that begged leave of a tailor just to warm his nose at his open window, but when his modest request was granted. pushed his demands until the tailor was driven out and the camel left in undisputed pos- session.

Hon. Robert Smith. of Alton. Illinois, while a member of Congress, wrote. February 15th. IS-49. from the House of Representatives, in Washing- ton. to the Commissioner of Indian affairs, ex- pressing a wish " To lease for five years the old government house and grist and saw-mill on the west side of the Mississippi River, opposite the Falls of St. Anthony." In the letter he adds: " 1 shall move into the Territory of Minnesota after the adjonrument of Congress, and I wish to pro- eure this house for my family to live in. and to fix up the old grist-mill to grind corn and other grain, there being no grist-mill now in that region of country." The Secretary of War consented. providing the commanding officer at Fort Snelling approved.

Major Woods, in command, on April 12th wrote that : " With due respect to Mr. Smith. I doubt much if his aim in wishing to settle there is not in expectation that the reserve will he taken off." Mr. Smith took possession of the old house and mill in May. 1849, but did not reside there. Mr. Smith was only allowed, with the house and mill, sufficient ground for a garden ; therefore, in Sep- tember. he renewed the correspondence with the Secretary of War. " 1 must have ground to raise something to live upon. I cannot cross the river and back. with my team. without paying one dol- lar. Provisions are dear and scarce, while there are tens of thousands of acres of excellent land. with no one within six or seven miles, on the same side of the river. cultivating an acre. I cannot but believe it will decidedly be for the interest of the government to permit me to make a farm ad- joining the mill." Mr. Smith had evidently stud- jed the art of diplomacy thoroughly, and, in the disinterested patriotism of the last paragraph. we should see only a satire written at his own expense, except that it is obscured by the very effrontery that won his success.

In September. 1852, Mr. Smith asked the priv- ilege of purchasing the buildings and in March, 1853, Captain N. J. T. Dana, quartermaster at Fort Snelling, wrote to the quartermaster-general at Washington: "I returned to this post on the twentieth instant, and on the next day visited the old mill and buildings belonging to the quar- termaster's department and now in the possession of Hon. Robert Smith, and I submit the follow- ing as my opinion of the value of the buildings to the government at the time when Mr. Smith received them : The old stone grist-mill, the building somewhat dilapidated. the water-wheel worn out entirely, but the other machinery, in- eluding two mill-stones, good, was worth $400. The old frame of a saw-mill, greatly decayed, to- gether with the mill irons on it and extra posts, mostly worn out, $100. The one-story frame building, much decayed. $200. Fences and races, much derayed. $50." The permit which he received from the Secretary of War allowed him to make a claim where the oldl government mill stood, which is the present site of Sidle. Fletcher & Holmes' touring mill, with the pur- pose of operating it for the government. This plan he carried out. employing Reuben Bean as

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LOCATION OF CLAIMS.

milter. Mr. Smith never lived here, nor did he at any time oceupy his efaim in person, but di- vided it with R. P. Russett, George E. Huy and others, in consideration of their agreement to make improvements on the property. Mr. Smith remained in Illinois, and at the time of his death was still member of congress from Alton district.

Though the early settlers on the west side were subjected to many hardships, these were of a kind peculiar to their location on the reserve and very different from the usual experiences of frontier life. Many had been living at St. Anthony, and the removal of their worklly effects to the oppo- site side of the river was not a very laborious task. besides the river alone separated them from a base of supplies. Those who were new comers and had not lived at St. Anthony could there find temporary shelter and comfort until their modest cabins were in readiness. No land entries could be made, but the following persons staked out their elaims in about the order mentioned, except- ing those who made no attempt to seeure land, entering other business: Calvin A. Tuttle, J. P. Mitler, Dr. 11. Fletcher, John Jackins, Warren Bristol, Aften Harmon, Dr. A. E. Ames, Edward Murphy, Charles Hoag, Joet B. Bassett, Colonel E. Case, Waterman Stinson, Edwin Hedderly, C. W. Christmas, Judge Isaac Atwater, Simon Ste- vens and Henry Chambers. Calvin A. Tuttte, who came over next after Mr. Stevens, was em- ployed by Mr. Smith as milter in place of Mr. Bean, and remained in charge of the mitt for several years. While still in charge in 1853, he became interested with Simon Stevens and others in the construction of a mill at Minnetonka. Hle now resides at Two Rivers, Morrison county, in this state.

J. P. Miller, the next to move to the west side, made a claim where Judge Atwater now lives, on the south-west quarter of section 25. His claim is now known as Atwater's addition to Mineap- olis. lle built there the second house, and re- mained tiff 1853, when he moved to Mimetonka. where he still lives, an honored and respected citi- zen. Mr. Miller was a native of Pennsylvania, ; in public life. He was a Vermonter by birth, lived several years in Bncyrus, Ohio, and a short time in Rockford, Illinois, arriving at St. An- thony in 1849.

Dr. Hezekiah Fletcher located his elaim on the sonth-east quarter of section 27, and buitt the

third house, which was a small shanty. He never entered the practice of his profession, but gave himself up to speculations, in which he was very successful. He soon sotd his claim to John L. Tenney. He represented the county in the territoriat legislature, and was appointed regis- ter of the land office in 1863. He is now in busi- ness in Springfield, Misssouri.

John Jackins, the fourth resident claimant, to- cated baek of, and adjoining, Mr. Stevens, and built a house which is still standing on Sixth street below Third Avenue south, though it has been removed from its original site. He lived ou his claim several years, and laid it out in lots as Jackins' addition to Minneapolis, but subse- quently removed and now lives at Stillwater.

Warren Bristot came fifth, and located his claim on section 27, just west of, and adjoining the claim of Dr. Fletcher. He built a shanty, lived in it about two years, and then exchanged his claim for lots in St. Paul, where he entered the practice of law. While in Minneapolis he held the office of county attorney, and was the first attorney for Hennepin county. He moved from St. Paul to Red Wing, and represented Goodhue county in the senate and house of representa- tives. Hle is now judge of the supreme court of the territory of New Mexico.

Atten Harmon, the next, located the sixth claim on the north-west quarter of section 27. where he still tives. He farmed his elaim for a few years, and afterward laid out a portion in town lots, call- ed Harmon's addition to Minneapolis. Later he platted other portions, until now it is nearly all laid out in town lo .

Dr. A. E. Ames, the seventh resident claimant, located his claim October 14, 1851, on section 26, and built a shanty, but remained in St. Anthony during the winter. In the spring of 1852 he moved over with his family, and was the first practicing physician in Minneapolis. It will des- ignate the claim more intelligildy to add that the court-house is situated on the original elaim. He became prominent in his profession as well as but studied medieine in Chicago. Hle first located in Illinois, where he heid the office of assistant secretary of state for four years, and was a mem- ber of the state senate and house of represent- atives. After his removat to Minneapolis he rep-

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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

resented Hennepin county in the territorial leg- islature one term, and subsequently was a mem- ber of the state constitutional convention. lle died in September. 1874. Hisson. Ezra B. Ames. lives in the house of his father, corner of Fifth Street and Eighth Avenue south. having removed it from the original site. corner of Fifth street and Ninth Avenue sonth.

Edward Murphy made the eighth claim, ad- joining and below J. P. Miller, near the river and near the residence of Judge Atwater. He moved on his claim in the spring of 1852. ocenpying it until his death. le platted his elaim. and it be- came Murphy's addition to Minneapolis. Mr. Murphy was a native of New Jersey. but was a resident of Ilinois before coming to Minnesota.

The ninth to arrive was Charles Hoag. in June. 1:52. from Philadelphia. where he had been a teacher in the public schools of that city. He lo- cated his claim next west of Jackins. It ex- tended nearly to Bassett's creek. Ile lived on his claim a few years and laid it ont in blocks and lots, called Hoag's addition to Minneapolis. He contributed much to the growth of the city. but was amply remunerated by the advance in property. To him is due the name Minneapolis, which has incorrectly been ascribed to Mr. George D. Bowman, editor of the St. Anthony Express, in consequence of the prominent position he took with his paper among its advocates. Mr. lloag, after losing his wealth through the fail- ure of others, moved on a farm in Richfield. where he now resides.

Next. and tenth. came J. B. Bassett in the spring of 1552, and located his claim along the river north of the creek that bears his name. The stream was named by Miss Mary A. Scho- field. at that time a teacher in the settlement, now Mrs. Prof. Kissell, a resident of Chicago. After working his claim as a farm for a few years. Mr. Bassett imbibed the enthusiasm of the little town and laid out his land in lots in con- nection with others, and it came in under the name of Case. Bassett and Moore's addition to Mine- apolis. He built his first house on a knoll at the month of the creek. but now lives in a fine resi- dence 613. North Fourth street, which is also on the original claim. Mr. Bassett was the first Judge of Probate of the county, a representative to the territorial legislature, and in 1868, Indian

agent to the Chippewas, He was a native of New Hampshire, and came in 185) to Minnesota.

Eleventh, Colonel Emanuel Case located on the river above Judge Bassett. The claim was con- tested with Peter Poncin, who moved on the land during the winter of 1852, and was living there at the time Colonel Case made his claim. Colonel Case defeated him, however, and estab- lished the claim. This was the southern-most land along the river belonging to the Indian res- ervation. He cultivated his claim a few years and laid it out in lots in company with Bassett and Moore, but continued to reside on it until his death about ten years ago. Colonel Case was a native of New York. and in the spring of 1851 came to Minnesota.

Waterman Stinson made the twelfth claim, on the north side of Bassett's creek. second above Bassett's, leaving one claim between them not vet taken. His claim soon proved like others too valuable for farming purposes; he, therefore platted it and became a wealthy man by sales of his lots. This formed Stinson's addition to Minneapolis. lle lived on his claim until his death.

Next. and thirteenth, was the claim of Edwin Hedderly in company with Rev. Alfred C. God- frey. a resident of Maine. They made claims on the river above Miller. Mr. Hledderly's claim ad- joined that of Mr. Miller. and Rev. Mr. Godfrey's came next. The latter soon sold his and returned East, and is now pastor of a church in Massachusetts. Mr. Hedderly lived on his claim until the fall of 1880. when his death occurred.

Charles W. Christmas was the fifteenth, and made his claim about a mile north. just outside the reservation, where he built a temporary shel- ter. and subsequently, a fine residence. Mr. Christmas arrived in St. Anthony JJuly 3d, 1850, and made his claim the following year. He was employed as surveyor in both St. Anthony and Minneapolis, and was twice elected county sur- veyor. In 1852 he moved on his claim and sub- sequently platted it. He was appointed register of land office for Sauk Rapids, but owing to the fail- ure to dleet the Whig candidate, Gen. Scott, to the presidency, he held the office only six months and received $500, a half-year's salary, though he never went to Sank Rapids to take possession of the office, nor performed any of the duties of reg-

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SURVEYS-FIRST MARRIAGE.

ister, excepting the very important one of drawing his salary. He came from Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, bringing a wife and nine children, attracted by a letter printed in a leading newspaper, written by Hon. J. W. North, in which the territory was described in very attractive terms. He states that the appearance of the country fully satisfied his anticipations and its subsequent growth has not exceeded his predictions. Mr. Christmas, after platting his claim. took Isaac Lewis and J. C. Reno as partners for the purpose of adding improvements, and the lots were divided among the partners. By some means Mr. Christmas came out the loser, and, though a respected citi- zen in advanced age, he has failed to secure for his old age the fat income now enjoyed by some of his contemporaries.

Judge Isaac Atwater made a claim next but, as he stated before the old settlers: he sold it for len dollars and never got his pay.

Henry Chambers opened a store and Simon Stevens was interested in lumber mills, neither of them making any claim.

Joshua Draper made a claim where Mr. D. Mor- rison now resides, the north-east quarter of sec- tion 31, included, it is said in the city in 1867, in order to permit Mr. Morrison, at that time re- siding there, to become a candidate for the office of Mayor. Mr. Draper jumped the elaim of Captain Arthur II. Mills, of the United States Army. At the time he made the claim, he was clerk for J. G. Lennon in SI. Anthony. A compromise was effected between Draper and Captain Mills, by which each took half of the original claim. Mr. Draper was a native of Oneida county, New York, and in 1851, arrived at St. Anthony. He was advanced in age at the time of his arrival, and brought a large family with him. Ilis death occurred sey- eral years ago at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Gordon. at Sauk Centre.

Mr. Christmas, with William Sloan for assist- ant. surveyed the greater part of Minneapolis, for Mr. Steele and Mr. Stevens. His survey ex- tended from Helen street, the boundary line be- 1ween the original claims of Hon. Robert Smith and Colonel Stevens, to Bassett creek. Governor Marshall had previously surveyed up lo Helen street, now Third Avenue south. He also sur- veyed down to Murphy's claim. Before the

government survey was made, Mr. Murphy wished to ascertain where the town line would run in order to avoid mistakes in locating and di- viding lands, and for this purpose employed Mr. Christmas. This required nice caleulation, but conjecturing how the government surveyors woukl proceed, he ran out the line, starting from the east side, and carrying it across the river, struck the same point on Lake Calhoun, which the gov- ermment surveyors made two or three years after, when they ran the line with more delicate in- struments than the simple chain and compass used by the first surveyors. It should be men- tioned here that the southern boundary of the township was subsequently changed by act of legislature and corresponding changes made in the boundaries of Brooklyn, Crystal Lake and Richfield ; reference to the history of those town- ships and the township of Minneapolis, will ex- plain those changes. In making the city surveys, Mr. Christmas states that he followed the in- structions of Col. Stevens in giving liberal meas- urement, and made an allowance of one and four one hundreds feet on each block,and further, as the streets and avenues do not eross at right angles, he ran the lines to secure as wide streets as pos- sible. In the brick block of Dunham and John- son, on Hennepin Avenue, the history of the sur- vey was placed in a space between the layers of brick with the expectation that at some future lime, in the growth of the city, it might be dis- covered and be an interesting relic of the past.

The first marriage was that of Captain John Tapper and Miss Matilda Stinson, in August, 1853, ceremony performed by Rev. Mr. Rowell. September 4th, of the same year the second look place, that of Andrew J. Foster and Mrs. M. E. Averill, ceremony performed by Edwin Hedder- ly, first justice.

Among the early settlers was Anson Northrup, who has been already mentioned as the builder of the St. Charles Hotel in St. Anthony, a man full of enterprise. Mr. Northrup made a elaim, Feb- mary, 1851, where the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul freight and passenger depots and yards are now located. Part of the ground was marshy, and between the marshy portions was a strip of ground which, in 1853, Mr. Northrup had broken, Mr. Charles Gilpatrick, now living near the Layman Cemetery, doing the work. The amount

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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

broken was estimated at three aeres, and on this, which was platted by Mr. Northrup, was erected previously the first building in which a public school was taught. commencing December 3d. 1852. by Miss Mary E. Miller.

The first building used as a hotel was located near where the present shops of O. A. Pray and Company are situated. It was small, but many were thankful for its meager accommodation. In 1857. James Young, now proprietor of Young's Ilotel at Delano, opened a first-class restaurant on Washington Avenue, opposite the present site of the First National hotel. Mr. Young, among the early settlers here, was engaged as surveyor. and was employed as chief engineer for Smith and Carleton. He was proprietor of the old Min- nesota house. after selling his restaurant at the close of a year's business. At the time of the surveys mentioned there was a small pond near the present post-office block, and lots in that vicinity found few purchasers at $20 each. Mr. Young refused lots at that price in payment for his services as surveyor.

CHAPTER LA.

TYRANNICAL PROCEEDINGS NAMES AFFAIRES IN 15 . SURVEYS MILLS ANDOTHER BU'S- INESS TOWN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER RE- I'J. \1.1.1.

It would be tedions if not impracticable to carry the enumeration of settlers farther. Set- tlers came in rapidly to take lots and erect houses. Many of those whom we have emunerated came without permits from the secretary of war and in the face of the prohibition of the officers at the Fort, who carried out their instructions in a tyrannical manner, pulling down the houses of some and holding ont a sly band open to bribery to others, offering not to molest those claimants who promised to give half their claims at the time of entry for unmolested possession. Twice were the shanties of the poor squatters torn down, and many retired in disgust from the unequal contest.

while the majority rebuilt and patiently waited. until at last they wrought victory from continual defeat.

Before the name Minneapolis was decided on, other names were proposed. During one season it was styled All Saints, perhaps because St. Paul and St. Anthony had grown so well under sainted names, it was supposed that under the patronage of all saints it must eclipse its rivals. The name Lowell was mooted. as it was thought possible the future city might rival that great manufac- turing center in Massachusetts. Another name Albion was offered, for no other reason that we can see but its euphonious character. The word Albion means white, and is sometimes applied to England on account of her chalky cliffs. The name Minneapolis is compounded of the Sioux word, "Minne." meaning water, and the Greek ".Polis," a city, which blends easily and, though contrary to the usual rule in forming compounds, it is a much more agreeable name than though both had been taken from the Greek, in which case the name would have been, perhaps, Hudor- apolis.

In the spring of 1851, Minneapolis contained only twelve houses, and these were scattered at long intervals apart. as if their purpose was that of farms; moreover, their architecture was some- what uniform, and, though picturesque. could hardly be called elegant. for at this time it was quite uncertain what action the government would take in reference to the reservation. In a chap- ter of the county history will be found an account of the measures taken to secure the claims by the settlers. In the spring of 1855. all apprehension was removed by the favorable decision of Con- gress, and in April the claimants were able to prove up and obtain undisputed title. Previously the settlers had been subjected to trouble and ex- pense. Money had to be contributed to protect their rights ; clubs and claim associations were organized for the same purpose. These associa- tions had committees before whom conflicting claimants presented their causes for arbitration. and from their decision there was no appeal. for the very weakness of the settlers led them to in- stitute strong measures, and where any showed signs of making trouble, it is said a rope attached to the limb of a tree was shown the mischief- maker. The result was submission to the rules

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BUILDING HOUSES-MILLS.

of the association. To claim-jumpers no quarter was given.

To Hon. Henry M. Rice, delegate to congress from the territory, and to citizens who went to Washington to aid in the matter. was due the passage of the bilt which secured the rights of pre-emption to the settlers. After all was settled and claimants had secured their homes, prosperity began. Claims changed hands, and new men came in, bringing money. This was the time to judge of the character of men. Alt were pros- perous, and many a poor dog who had never had money before, strutted about with his coat pock- ets full of gold, presenting a twenty-dollar piece to pay for a cigar. Thus the foot and his money soon parted, while wiser men used the prosperous days to prepare for the hard times to follow. Hard times came soon, finding few thoroughly enough hedged to tide over.

The first survey was made by William R. Marshall in 1854, but the first record of survey was filed August 2d. 1855, William R. Marshall, surveyor, changed by Heman C. Smith. This was on sections 25 and 26. Next, May 13th, 1856, Atwater's addition was recorded. Next, June 19th, 1856, Morrison. Smith and Hancock's addi- tion. These additions were surveyed by 11. Clay- ton Smith. Murphy's addition was surveyed July 7th, 1857, by Smith and Carleton.

In the fall of 1855 more than one hundred houses had been built, and to quote from the pa- pers of the day, "Some would do credit, both in structure and durability, to the city of New York." The boom of progress was checked and brought to a stand by the financial crisis of 1857. Fabulous rates of interest were paid by even the best men, and disaster followed. The fortunes which seemed already in the grasp of many, treacherouslv slipped away and passed into the hands of others, and in this way some of the first claimants, who were entitled to, and were worthy of, the highest rewards came out poor. It was long thought by the leading citizens of St. Anthony that their neighbor, Minneapolis, would become only a valuable suburb of their city. as the natural conformation of the tand and the di- vision of the river by islands favored the St. Anthony side. At first all the business except farming was on the east side, but October 8th, 1853, Mr. Chambers opened the "Pioneer Store"

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History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 64

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 738

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738